View source for Mega Man Star Force

{{Short description|2006 video game}}
{{for|the anime television series and manga series of the same name|Mega Man Star Force (TV series)}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = Mega Man Star Force cover.jpg
| caption = North American ''Leo'' box art.<br/>Not pictured: ''Pegasus'' and ''Dragon'' versions
| developer = [[Capcom Production Studio 2]]
| publisher = Capcom
| director = Masahiro Yasuma
| producer = Takeshi Horinouchi
| artist = Yuji Ishihara<br>Tokiko Nakashima
| writer = Masakazu Eguchi<br>Teruhiro Shimogawa
| composer = [[Yoshino Aoki]]<br /> Mitsuhiko Takano
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|December 14, 2006<ref>{{cite web | author=Gantayat, Anoop | date=October 2, 2006 | title=Mega Man Dated, Milked | url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/736/736727p1.html | publisher=[[IGN]] | access-date=January 28, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205135322/http://ds.ign.com/articles/736/736727p1.html | archive-date=February 5, 2007 | url-status=live }}</ref>|NA|August 7, 2007<ref>{{cite web | author=Sinclair, Brendan | date=August 6, 2007 | title=Shippin' Out August 6–10: Boogie, Mega Man Star Force | url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/shippin-out-august-6-10-boogie-mega-man-star-force-6176265 | work=[[GameSpot]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | access-date=January 28, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328101604/http://www.gamespot.com/news/shippin-out-august-6-10-boogie-mega-man-star-force-6176265 | archive-date=March 28, 2012 | url-status=live }}</ref>|AUS|November 28, 2007<ref>{{cite web | author=Kozanecki, James | date=November 26, 2007 | title=AU Shippin' Out November 27–30: Super Mario Galaxy | url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/au-shippin-out-november-27-30-super-mario-galaxy-6183377 | work=[[GameSpot]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | access-date=January 28, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225113259/http://www.gamespot.com/news/au-shippin-out-november-27-30-super-mario-galaxy-6183377 | archive-date=December 25, 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref>}}{{vgrelease|EU|November 30, 2007}}
| genre = [[Action role-playing game|Action role-playing]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| series = ''[[Mega Man]]''
| platforms = [[Nintendo DS]]
}}
{{nihongo foot|'''''Mega Man Star Force: Pegasus'''''|流星のロックマンペガサス|Ryūsei no Rokkuman Pegasasu|lit. 'Shooting Star Rockman: Pegasus'|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}}, {{nihongo foot|'''''Mega Man Star Force: Leo'''''|流星のロックマンレオ|Ryūsei no Rokkuman Reo|lit. 'Shooting Star Rockman: Leo'|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}}, and {{nihongo foot|'''''Mega Man Star Force: Dragon'''''|流星のロックマンドラゴン|Ryūsei no Rokkuman Doragon|lit. 'Shooting Star Rockman: Dragon'|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} are 2006 [[action role-playing game]]s developed and published by [[Capcom]]  for the [[Nintendo DS]] handheld [[video game console]]; combined, they are the first game in the ''Mega Man Star Force'' series, a sub-series of the greatest ''[[Mega Man]]'' franchise—and a follow-up to the ''[[Mega Man Battle Network]]'' series. It takes place in the years of 220X, in which technology has advanced to the point where the world is now connected through [[EM wave]]s. The game follows Geo Stelar, an 11-year-old fifth-grader in Echo Ridge who merges with an FM-ian alien named Omega-Xis after mourning the supposed death of his father Kelvin Stelar.<ref name="gspyreview">{{cite web |author=Theobald, Phil |date=August 20, 2007 |title=Mega Man Star Force: Leo |url=http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/mega-man-star-force-leo-/813999p1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011084927/http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/mega-man-star-force-leo-/813999p1.html |archive-date=October 11, 2009 |access-date=June 25, 2010 |publisher=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Greenwald |first=Will |date=August 8, 2007 |title=Meeting Mega Man's maker |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/meeting-mega-mans-maker/ |access-date=March 17, 2012 |work=[[CNET]] |publisher=[[Red Ventures]]}}</ref>

The ''Mega Man Battle Network'' series had concluded with the [[Mega Man Battle Network 6|sixth game]] in 2005, with the developers citing the new DS hardware as their reasoning for its ending. ''Mega Man Star Force'' continues several gameplay and story elements introduced in ''Battle Network'', with battles taking place on a 3-by-5 grid in which Mega Man is limited to moving left to right in one row and attacking using Battle Cards. Players are also able to play against each other, trade Battle Cards, and form a Brother Band with another player using the DS' wireless capabilities.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Capcom: Mega Man |url=http://megaman.capcom.com/# |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221064309/http://megaman.capcom.com/ |archive-date=December 21, 2007 |access-date=April 28, 2015 |website=Mega Man |publisher=Capcom}}</ref> Prior to its release, Capcom also commissioned [[Mega Man Star Force (TV series)|anime and manga]] adaptations to help promote the game.

''Mega Man Star Force'' received mixed reviews from critics upon release; it was often regarded as too similar to ''Battle Network'' due to its reuse of concepts, art style, and similar gameplay, with many generally finding it a disappointment. However, it was a commercial success, selling nearly 600,000 copies in Japan by the end of 2007. ''Mega Man Star Force'' would spawn two direct sequels for the same system,<ref>{{cite web |last=rawmeatcowboy |date=April 12, 2007 |title=Massive amount of scans - Phantom Hourglass, MySims, Donkey Kong Bongo Blast, Opoona, ASH, Rune Factory 2, Mario Party 8 and more! |url=https://gonintendo.com/archives/15363-massive-amount-of-scans-phantom-hourglass-mysims-donkey-kong-bongo-blast-opoona-ash |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927205326/http://gonintendo.com/?p=16063 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=April 12, 2007 |website=GoNintendo}}</ref> as well as a crossover in the form of an enhanced port of the first ''Battle Network'' game under the title ''[[Rockman.EXE: Operate Shooting Star]]'' (2009), released only in Japan.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Starforce--2.jpg|left|thumb|256px|A screenshot of a typical battle sequence]]''Mega Man Star Force'' is an [[action role-playing game]] much in the same vein as ''[[Battle Network]]''.<ref name="Jeuxvideo Review">{{Cite web |last=Romendil |date=December 7, 2007 |title=Test of Mega Man Star Force Leo |trans-title=Review of Mega Man Star Force Leo |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00008357-mega-man-star-force-leo-test.htm |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]] |publisher=[[Webedia]] |language=fr}}</ref> Outside of battle, the game is rendered in a 2D isometric view where the player travels through the real world and finds areas to Electromagnetic Wave Change (EM Wave Change), which tend to be the entrances to the EM Wave World or various computers.<ref name="ignrev" /><ref name="gspotrev" /> In the Wave World, the player is able to encounter viruses, during which the game switches to a 3D view from Mega Man's back, and where movement is restricted to left and right.<ref name="gspyreview" /><ref name="ignrev" /><ref name="gspotrev" /> In battles, HP represents the amount of life Mega Man has. Whenever he is hit by an attack the number decreases, and when it reaches "zero," Mega Man is deleted and the game is over (and the player must start over from when/where they last saved). HP can be recovered in a number of ways, both in and out of battle.<ref name="gspotrev" />

Battle Cards are collected in a number of ways throughout the game, and the player must organize them into a folder to use for battles.<ref name="gspotrev" /> Every time the "Custom Gauge" fills during battle, Cards are called up at random and are selected to use against the enemies.<ref name="gspyreview" /><ref name="gspotrev" /> Depending on their arrangement on the screen, certain Cards can be selected together to provide combinations, just like Battle Chips from ''Battle Network''.<ref name="ignrev" /> There are three different classes of Cards ranked by their power and rarity (Standard, Mega, and Giga), and only a certain number of Cards from each class, or a certain number of a specific Card, can be placed into a folder; certain Chips can also have an element applied, with Heat chips being effective against Wood enemies. Other options allow players to set certain Cards as favorites so that by connecting to other players via Wi-Fi, they can use their favorite Cards in a random draw during battles.<ref name="gspyreview" /> This implements an element of strategy into planning battles.<ref name="gspotrev" />

The game is compatible with [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]] as well as wireless play. Through wireless play, players can trade Battle Cards and battle each other's Mega Men. Players can also use the Brother Band network to share favorite Cards, Star Force transformations, or status upgrades as well as send e-mails.<ref name="gspyreview" /><ref name="Jeuxvideo Review" /><ref name="ignrev" /><ref name="gspotrev" /> Characters from ''[[Lunar Knights]]'' (''Bokura no Taiyou DS: Django and Sabata'') appear in an in-game side-quest and can become Brothers through "Cross Brother Band",<ref>{{cite web |last=Ishida |first=Katsuo |date=January 26, 2007 |title= |script-title=ja:カプコンとＫＯＮＡＭＩ、DS「流星のロックマン」と 「ボクらの太陽 Django&Sabata」のコラボレーション壁紙を配信 |trans-title=Capcom and KONAMI Collaborate on DS "Shooting Star Rockman Rockman" and "Our Sun Django & Sabata" Wallpapers |url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20070126/ryubok.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070129005157/http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20070126/ryubok.htm |archive-date=January 29, 2007 |access-date=January 26, 2007 |website=GameWatch |publisher=Impress Corporation |language=ja}}</ref> however this feature is missing in non-Japanese versions.

{{Clear}}

==Plot==
===Setting and characters===
{{Main|List of Mega Man characters}}
''Mega Man Star Force'' takes place in the fictional year of 220X where has two-hundred-years passed after the end of ''Mega Man Battle Network'' series,<ref>{{cite web |date=September 22, 2006 |title=Capcom Introduces a "Wave" New World with ''Mega Man Star Force'' for the Nintendo DS |url=http://shop.capcom.com/store/capcomus/ContentTheme/pbPage.PRFullArticle/ThemeID.166200&productID=60598400 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070209085216/http://shop.capcom.com/store/capcomus/ContentTheme/pbPage.PRFullArticle/ThemeID.166200%26productID%3D60598400 |archive-date=February 9, 2007 |access-date=June 10, 2019 |publisher=[[Capcom]]}}</ref> when emphasis on internet technology has lessened, and instead, the world has become networked through use of [[Electromagnetic radiation|EM Waves]]. Though cyber worlds and [[NetNavi]]s still exist in ''Star Force'', human dependency on them has greatly decreased, and people no longer have Navi companions. instead relying on Transers. Three large satellites orbiting the Earth—Pegasus, Leo, and Dragon—power the EM Wave World that exists around the Earth's atmosphere, keeping the world networked. While the EM Wave World is normally invisible to the human eye, a special piece of eyewear called the Visualizer (possessed by the series's main protagonist) allows a human to see this other world. However, like with the cyber worlds of ''Battle Network'', EM Wave Viruses inhabit the EM Wave World, causing problems in everyday life.<ref name="Jeuxvideo Review" />

Furthermore, there exists an alien planet known as "FM", inhabited by [[extraterrestrial life|extraterrestrial beings]] called FM-ians. FM-ians can traverse in both worlds, and also possess the ability to physically merge with human beings through a process called EM Wave Change. Other than lending a human the FM-ian's powers, this process also transforms an ordinary human into an "EM Wave Human", allowing him or her to freely operate in the EM Wave World (as well as cyber networks within specific electronic devices). Many of the FM-iams are named after [[constellations]] (e.g. Taurus), and merge with people undergoing hardship.<ref name="Jeuxvideo Review" />

The main protagonist of ''Star Force'' is Geo Stelar (although they can be renamed by the player), an 11-year-old fifth-grader living in Echo Ridge who has been in a state of isolation after the supposed death of his father Kelvin Stelar several years ago after the explosion of the [[space station]] ''Peace''. He is soon joined by a rouge FM-ian alien known as Omega-Xis, who takes residency in Geo's Transer; both are able to EM Wave Change into Mega Man (known in other media as Star Force Mega Man),<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUQg--AXASo |title=【ROCKMAN X DiVE】流星洛克人/Mega Man Star Force |date=September 6, 2021 |type=Video game |language=zh |publisher=[[Capcom|Capcom Taiwan]] |access-date=November 17, 2021}}</ref> and travel between both the real and EM Wave worlds.<ref name="gspyreview" /><ref name="Jeuxvideo Review" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hinkle |first=Dave |date=December 20, 2006 |title=Shining a spotlight on Mega Man Star Force |url=https://www.engadget.com/2006-12-20-shining-a-spotlight-on-mega-man-star-force.html |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=[[Yahoo!]]}}</ref>

===Story===
Geo has been mourning the disappearance of his father Kelvin after the explosion of the space station ''Peace'' three years ago, and as a result, he has not been attending school. A group of children from Geo's class constantly urge Geo to attend school, but he always refuses. One day, Geo comes home and finds Aaron Boreal, Kelvin's co-worker at the AMAKEN Space Agency, conversing with Geo's mother, Hope. Aaron gives Geo the Visualizer, a glasses-like device that allows humans to see the EM Wave World. Geo goes outside to sulk on an observation deck over the city when he puts the Visualizer on. Using it, he sees Omega-Xis, who recognizes Geo as Kelvin's son and quickly performs an Electromagnetic Wave Change with him, transforming into the ''Star Force'' version of Mega Man.

Omega-Xis is considered a traitor by the FM King because he has stolen the mysterious Andromeda Key, and he also claims to know about the events leading up to Kelvin's disappearance. Geo agrees to work with Omega-Xis to protect the key, and thus, Omega-Xis resides within Geo's Transer. He is aided in his fight against the FMs by the three satellites; eventually, they make it to the space station ''Peace'' which had been seized by the FM King, during which Omega-Xis reveals to Geo that he knew Kelvin Stelar before coming to Earth, but converted him into a wave form so the astronaut could escape the king's wrath. They defeat Andromeda but spare the king, following his father's dream to establish peace with other life. The king tells Geo his name is Cepheus, but asks Geo how he could possibly trust one from another world, for he never has. Eventually, he is convinced that he and Geo are kindred spirits and must both set out to make their parts of the universe a better place.

Geo is ready to return to Earth, but the station begins falling apart and he is cut off from the wave road he used to reach the station in the first place and he is forced to escape via a derelict escape pod. For days he and Omega-Xis drift through space, doomed to die on this spacecraft and be lost in the void forever but just as Geo is ready to give up hope, somehow, from the endless vastness of space, his father's spirit is finally able to reach him. Geo is confronted by his father in a dream where he tells Geo he must hold on to those he loves most and as long as he keeps believing in them, Kelvin shall always watch over him, no matter how far apart they are. At that moment, Geo's friends Luna, Bud, Zack, Sonia and even Pat have gathered at Geo's favorite spot to call him back home. The strength of their bonds causes all their Brother Bands to converge into a beam that connects with Geo's space pod and miraculously saves him. Geo simply watches the Earth draw closer as he is brought home during the game's credits, never to be the boy he used to be again.

==Development and release==
{{Expand section|actual development information|date=November 2022|small=no|find=Mega Man Star Force|find2=1}}
The decision to end the ''[[Mega Man Battle Network]]'' series with the [[Mega Man Battle Network 6|sixth entry]] wasn't made until partway through development, since the developers wanted to take advantage of the new hardware.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Midnite |date=March 19, 2018 |title=EXE 15th Ann. Special Staff Discussion! (Part 2) |url=https://www.therockmanexezone.com/interviews/2018/03/19/exe-15th-ann-special-staff-discussion-part-2/ |access-date=June 30, 2022 |website=The Rockman.EXE Zone}}</ref> According to [[Capcom]] producer Takeshi Horinouchi, the ''Mega Man Star Force'' games have been among the most difficult games in the franchise to develop because they "<nowiki>[came]</nowiki> on the heels of the ''Battle Network'' series," increasing the expectations of the fans.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Hoffman, Chris |date=January 2008 |title=''Mega Man'' 20/20 |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]] |issue=224 |page=61 |issn=1041-9551}}</ref> Masahiro Yasuma wrote that the reason for the more simplistic battle system was due to the system in ''Battle Network 6'' being too complicated, so they 'reset' the system so younger children could play; the change in perspective was done to allow for new gameplay, while maintaining the ''Battle Network'' feel.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Yasuma |first=Masahiro |title= |date=June 1, 2007 |publisher=[[Shogakukan]] |isbn=9784091063717 |pages=96 |language=ja |script-title=ja:流星のロックマン 究極攻略Legend |trans-title=Shooting Star Rockman Ultimate Strategy Legend }}</ref>

To promote the new game, Capcom commissioned an [[Mega Man Star Force (TV series)|anime series]] produced by [[ShoPro]] and [[Xebec (studio)|Xebec]], which began airing on October 7, 2006,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Ishida |first=Katsuo |date=October 2, 2006 |title= |script-title=ja: カプコン、DS「流星のロックマン ペガサス/レオ/ドラゴン」12月14日に3バージョン同時発売決定 |trans-title=Capcom to release three versions of DS "Shooting Star Rockman: Pegasus/Leo/Dragon" simultaneously on December 14. |url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20061002/rock.htm |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=GameWatch |publisher=Impress Corporation |language=ja}}</ref> as well as a manga adaptation by Masaya Itagaki in [[CoroCoro Comics]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Itagaki |first=Masaya |title= |date=March 28, 2007 |publisher=[[CoroCoro Comics]] |isbn=978-4091403223 |language=ja |script-title=ja:流星のロックマン 1 (コロコロドラゴンコミックス) |trans-title=Shooting Star Rockman 1 (CoroCoro Dragon Comics)}}</ref> Japanese pre-orders came with a replica of Geo's pendant, although these were soon recalled due to safety concerns.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 1, 2007 |title= |script-title=ja:DS『流星のロックマン』先着購入特典回収のお知らせ |trans-title=DS "Shooting Star Rockman" First-Come, First-Serve Purchase Privilege Recall Announcement |url=https://dengekionline.com/data/news/2007/2/1/3a33d36025dea48375eda2e79e8475e0.html |access-date=January 16, 2024 |website=Dengeki Online |publisher=[[Dengeki Nintendo]]}}</ref>

The game's music was composed by [[Yoshino Aoki]] and Mitsuhiko Takano and released as the first disc of the {{nihongo foot|''Shooting Star Rockman 1 & 2 Original Soundtrack''|流星のロックマン１＆２オリジナル・サウンドトラック|Ryūsei no Rokkuman wan ando tsū Orijinaru Saundotorakku|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}} compilation.

==Reception and legacy==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 61% (''Pegasus'')<ref>{{cite web|title=Mega Man Star Force: Pegasus for DS | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/935719-mega-man-star-force-pegasus/index.html | website=[[GameRankings]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | access-date=June 25, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713232735/http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/935719-mega-man-star-force-pegasus/index.html | archive-date=July 13, 2010}}</ref><br />59% (''Leo'')<ref>{{cite web | title=Mega Man Star Force: Leo for DS | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/935718-mega-man-star-force-leo/index.html | website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | access-date=June 25, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705145925/http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/935718-mega-man-star-force-leo/index.html | archive-date=July 5, 2010}}</ref><br />62% (''Dragon'')<ref>{{cite web | title=Mega Man Star Force: Dragon for DS | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/935703-mega-man-star-force-dragon/index.html | website=[[GameRankings]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | access-date=June 25, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718033712/http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/935703-mega-man-star-force-dragon/index.html | archive-date=July 18, 2010}}</ref>
| MC = 60/100 (''Pegasus'')<ref name="PegasusMetacritic">{{cite web | title=Mega Man Star Force: Pegasus for DS Reviews | url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/megamanstarforcepegasus?q=mega_man_star_force|website=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[Fandom Inc.]]|access-date=June 25, 2010 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128203116/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/megamanstarforcepegasus?q=mega_man_star_force | archive-date=January 28, 2013| url-status=live }}</ref><br />58/100 (''Leo'')<ref name="LeoMetacritic">{{cite web | title=Mega Man Star Force: Leo for DS Reviews | url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/megamanstarforceleo?q=mega_man_star_force|website=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[Fandom Inc.]]|access-date=June 25, 2010| archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912175725/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/megamanstarforceleo?q=mega_man_star_force | archive-date=September 12, 2012| url-status=live }}</ref><br />60/100 (''Dragon'')<ref name="DragonMetacritic">{{cite web | title=Mega Man Star Force: Dragon for DS Reviews | url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/megamanstarforcedragon?q=mega_man_star_force |website=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[Fandom Inc.]]| access-date=June 25, 2010| archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906091050/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/megamanstarforcedragon?q=mega_man_star_force | archive-date=September 6, 2012| url-status=live }}</ref>
| Fam = 32/40<ref name="famrev">{{cite web | title=Famitsu review scores | date=6 December 2006 | url=http://gonintendo.com/?p=9928 | publisher=Go Nintendo | access-date=January 25, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307170733/http://gonintendo.com/?p=9928 | archive-date=March 7, 2007| url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpot = 6/10<ref name="gspotrev">{{cite web | author=Provo, Frank | date=August 15, 2007 | title=Mega Man Star Force: Leo Review for DS | url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mega-man-star-force-pegasus-review/1900-6176689/ | publisher=[[GameSpot]] | access-date=2010-06-25 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009065114/http://www.gamespot.com/ds/rpg/megamanstarforceleo/review.html | archive-date=October 9, 2009 | url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpy = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="gspyreview"/>
| IGN = 5.2/10<ref name="ignrev">{{cite web | author=Moriarty, Colin | date=August 14, 2007 | title=Mega Man Star Force: Leo Review - Nintendo DS Review | url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/812/812863p1.html | publisher=[[IGN]] | access-date=2010-06-25 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008090733/http://ds.ign.com/articles/812/812863p1.html | archive-date=October 8, 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref>
| NP = 7.5/10<ref name="nprev">{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] | publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]] | title=Now Playing: Mega Man Star Force | date=October 2007 | issue=220 | page=88}}</ref>
| ONM = 6.9/10<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] | publisher=[[Future plc]] | title=Reviews: Mega Man Star Force | date=January 2008 | issue=23 | page=82}}</ref>
| JXV = 15/20<ref name="Jeuxvideo Review"/>
}}

===Sales===
According to weekly Japanese sales report of the first week of release for ''Mega Man Star Force'', none of the three versions placed in the top 10.<ref>{{cite web |author=Freund |first=Josh |date=December 21, 2006 |title=Weekly software sales for 12/11 - 12/17 |url=http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=7365 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928030244/http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=7365 |archive-date=September 28, 2007 |access-date=January 25, 2007 |website=GamesAreFun}}</ref> However, [[Media Create]] sales data shows that the three versions of the game sold a combined 219,171 units in Japan by the end of 2006, placing it as the 59th best-selling video game of the year in that region.<ref>{{cite web |title= |script-title=ja:2006年テレビゲームソフト売り上げTOP500（ファミ通版） |trans-title=Top 500 video game software sales in 2006 (Famitsu version) |url=http://geimin.net/da/db/2006_ne_fa/index.php |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626214525/http://geimin.net/da/db/2006_ne_fa/index.php |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=June 23, 2010 |website=Geimin |language=ja}}</ref> An additional 374,504 units were sold in 2007, making it the 37th best-selling game of that year and totaling sales to 593,675 units for Japan alone.<ref>{{cite web |title= |script-title=ja:2007年テレビゲームソフト売り上げTOP500（ファミ通版） |trans-title=Top 500 video game software sales in 2007 (Famitsu version) |url=http://geimin.net/da/db/2007_ne_fa/index.php |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017183611/http://geimin.net/da/db/2007_ne_fa/index.php |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |access-date=June 23, 2010 |website=Geimin |language=ja}}</ref>

===Critical response===
''Mega Man Star Force'' received "mixed or average reviews" according to [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]]; ''Pegasus'', ''Leo'' and ''Dragon'' all scored 60, 58, and 60 out of 100 respectively.<ref name="PegasusMetacritic" /><ref name="LeoMetacritic" /><ref name="DragonMetacritic" />

Reviewers generally expressed disappointed about the lack of changes from the ''Battle Network'' series, particularly in gameplay and visual style;<ref name="gspyreview" /><ref name="ignrev" /><ref name="gspotrev" /> Colin Moriarty wrote for [[IGN]] "it's more likely to leave the gamer mystified, feeling positive they've been down this road countless times before."<ref name="ignrev" /> [[GameSpy]] agreed, stating "we were hoping that Capcom would take this opportunity to reboot the series into something fresh. Instead, we have more of a sidestep than a step forward," although they felt the game would be fine for people who hadn't played any of the prior ''Battle Network'' entries.<ref name="gspyreview" />

However, the game received minor praise for its few improvements; reviewers consistently praised the BrotherBand system,<ref name="gspyreview" /><ref name="Jeuxvideo Review" /><ref name="ignrev" /> although [[GameSpot]] had hoped it would allow for more than six friends per game.<ref name="gspotrev" /> The expanded length was also praised, though a common sentiment was that it took the story too long to get going, as well as the high amount of backtracking involved in progression.<ref name="gspyreview" /><ref name="Jeuxvideo Review" /><ref name="gspotrev" />

Due to high sales, Capcom produced two sequels for the same system,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Fishman |first=Brian |date=July 1, 2008 |title=Mega Man Star Force 2: Zerker X Ninja Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mega-man-star-force-2-zerker-x-ninja-review/1900-6193308/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210093618/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mega-man-star-force-2-zerker-x-ninja-review/1900-6193308/ |archive-date=February 10, 2014 |access-date=March 2, 2022 |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[Red Ventures]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=Famitsu staff |date=September 30, 2008 |title= |script-title=ja:戦いに勝利するために『流星のロックマン3』のバトルシステムを把握せよ |trans-title=Explanation of the Battle System in Shooting Star Rockman 3 |url=http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1218454_1124.html |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |language=ja |publisher=[[Enterbrain]] |access-date=July 30, 2022}}</ref> as well as ''[[Rockman.EXE: Operate Shooting Star]]'' (2009)—an updated port of the first ''Battle Network'' game with a new crossover scenario with ''Star Force''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Heat Man |date=August 7, 2009 |title=A Tale of Two MegaMans: Operate Shooting Star in CoroCoro |url=http://www.themmnetwork.com/2009/08/07/a-tale-of-two-megamans-operate-shooting-star-in-corocoro/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810100011/http://www.themmnetwork.com/2009/08/07/a-tale-of-two-megamans-operate-shooting-star-in-corocoro/ |archive-date=August 10, 2009 |access-date=March 2, 2022 |website=The Mega Man Network}}</ref><ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Sounders |first=Mike |date=June 17, 2019 |title=Capcom was working on a Mega Man Star Force 4 at one point |url=https://www.destructoid.com/capcom-was-working-on-a-mega-man-star-force-4-at-one-point/ |access-date=February 28, 2022 |website=Destructoid |publisher=[[Enthusiast Gaming]]}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.capcom.co.jp/ryusei1}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{MobyGames|mega-man-star-force-pegasus|''Mega Man Star Force: Pegasus''}}
* {{MobyGames|mega-man-star-force-leo|''Mega Man Star Force: Leo''}}
* {{MobyGames|mega-man-star-force-dragon|''Mega Man Star Force: Dragon''}}

{{Mega Man Star Force series|state=uncollapsed}}
{{megaman}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Mega Man Star Force| ]]
[[Category:2006 video games]]
[[Category:Action role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Crossover role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo DS games]]
[[Category:Nintendo DS-only games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Yoshino Aoki]]
[[Category:Video games with isometric graphics]]